The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-03

| Der garments-aDd the boy would be taught to
| love his dead father. They would point to the
| sky and tell him that papa was up in heaven. "
| 1t was best.
1t would kill his tender Lucy to hear the
story. He fancied the wild. startled look in her
| blue eyes, as Annettee hard words beat upon
| her like haistones; her piteous appeal to know
| il this could be truth; and his heart-broken 81
| lence He must be merciful to her and to him
| self. He could not bear the thought that in
| time she might learn to think of him with bit
| terness and resentment as one who had degraded
! her before the world
At length be spoke, 81 suppose 1 must go with
| you"
''But whenF Annette demanded. with fash
| OF triumph in her eyes.
Tonight. The sooner the better. since it
| must be-"
But don't understand Where shall meet
| your
Il have thought of that. There three large
| oaks on the river bank. about half mile on the
| other side of town. Be there at 10 o'clock, and
can take you in my skiff to the opposite bank.
Then can hail an up-river boat. Stay any
where you like until then, and don't dare TO
mention my name"
tenderness for tns chit you call your wiseF
Don't speak of her. woman" said Colin. She
laughed aloud as If it amused and pleased her to
goad MIN.
well, good for the present my dear
Colin" she said. and moved away
As Colin turned his face toward the homo
that was soon TO be his more, the afternoon
was growing late. The sunset was spreading
wonderful, wild wings of light that scared and
hoated over the dead unchanging flats beyond.
Golden ripples streamed over the grass and wa
ter, and the geese gabbed noisily as they filed
home from the clear pools.
Lucy heard the click of the gate. and ran ont
to meet him according to her usual custom, with
Jacky toddling after her.
For the last time" said Colin to himself.
did you remember to mail my letter. dearP
asked Lucy.
'Lettersg What lsttersl Oh. yes"
Colin" she pursued, hanging on his arm,
did you know the En- glish daisies blooming9
and on n o.
beside the rose bush-aren't they prettys
Jacky's sharp eyes spied them-mammas smart
little man.
AS she stood there, prattling to Colin of the
roses they must 'set out" in the autumn. Jacky
tueged at his fathers coat. and pleaded, Take
upi Take up" So he had to be hoisted upon
the broad shoulder where he sat delighted,
clutching his fathers curly hair.
well, come in to supper" said Lucy.
An unseen spectator had been watching them
behind the thick screen of the Cherokee hedge
Silly little chit" she sneered. thinking. when
she saw Lucy, of her own superb beauty that
had made her seem woman to be worshiped
Then her glance fell upon the child with his
little silky, yellow head. and wondering blue
eyes, and the sturdy legs tramping. so bravery
child, whose little feet had never learned to
walk and Of her wild grief. unreasoniDg and
short-lived as that of an animal. at his death.
Something like a sob swelled in her throat.
IF he had lived Oh. my baby, would have
been good woman" she Inurmured.
AS on paper charred and withered by fire.
there may still be discerned characters that were
once words and sentences, SO in this woman's
soul there a sudden outcry for all she had
forfeited and could never regain; The past
rushed over ner like the cold river of death. She
could never see her little angel child again He
could never know mis- wicked mother in heaven
nor love her.
This agony of mind was strong upon her as
she turned away with unsteady step.
Like one in dream Colin watshsd his busy
little housewife bustling about the room, tying
on Jacky's apron and settling him in his high
chair
His gaze moved slowly over everything in the
room-his favorite chair the white curtain
stirring softly in the wind, the setter puppy |
hopefully humping his feathery tail on the |
floor, the place filed with cedar boughs, |
and the high mantel-piec with the vases upon 1t,
and the clock whose busy ticking seemed to him |
like q voice that was Fastening to the end of |
a story oft told and wearisome.
This was a picture that he must Tx In his |
mind, that he might have it before him in the |
years that were TO come
II know what you looking at. Colin
marked Lucy, her eyes following the direction /
Of his, you are wondering what has become OF
the old peacock-feather fan. Jack got hold of it,
somehow, and gave it TO the puppy, and between
them they tore it to pieces"
Il dave IL to puppy" echoed Jack. beating
the table with his spoon until
his mother imprisoned the chubby hand.
Colin essayed a smile with his dry lips.
AS he pushed back his chair and rose from the
table, he said 81 forgot to tell you, Lucy, that
have to go across the river night to see To-
and on business, and 1 shan't be able to get
back IN til to morrow"
.HOh, Colin" cried Lucy. morrnfuly. ST hate
so to have you stay out all night. I'm always |
afraid som ething will happen to you-that I'll |
never you again"
well, needn't go until-until 10 o'clock"
"Jacky, who always unpleasantly wide
wake in the evening. was allowed to sit up in
honor of his fathers expected departure. Lucy
at beside her husband, with her hands clasped
lround his arm, talking in her simple way. but
le scarcely heard her. His heart was full of the
many things he wished to say to her before they
'arted forever. yet he dared not speak any last
words. His flesh quivered whenever the clock
truck.
Presently he sprang to his feet. not daring to
tay any longer.
You'll come home early in the morning, won't
'ou, Colin dear3" she asked.
Yes, I'll come home early"
"And / must bring you thicker coat to
year." added the thoughtful wife, because it
nav turn chilly"
He took her in his arms and pressed her close
gainst his heart He looked at the bright hair |
wing upon his breast for the last time. Then he |
Used the child, who glanced up carelessly and
vent back to his playthings as his father passed
ut at the door
But when Colin was half way down the garden
ath he suddenly returned.
Have you forgotten anything. dear2" Lucy
sked.
'.My-my stick" ne stammered.
MAY be it's in the corner-why, you silly
elbow. you have it under your arm" she
Aughed her pretty face sparkling with smiles at
is stupidity
Colin stood in the middle of the room, looking
aggardiy about him. He gave a second en-
race to his wife, and. without looking at Jacky, |
q plunged out into the night.
Lucy held up Jacky at the door, that he might
30 how tho leaping ray of the lantern sprapg |
orward into the darkness.
"Dere's-my-paps," Colin heard the little |
ooe cry ont. and he knew that the chubby fore |
niger was pointing after him.
"Papa's Ronei Papa's gone" said Lucy. in the
ngsong tone supposed to be soothing to the iu-
mt mind; and Colin heard the door shut It
ad closad forever between him and them.
He stopped short in the middle of the road.
''Oh, God! l can't leave them." he said, with
Do.
Still he knew he must go on.
He rowed in his skif the appointed spot;
ut, when he reached it, the woman was not
lere
He stood and waited, his hear. plungiug at
very chance noise. The sudden shrek of an |
vi made the cold Grous start out unon his fore |